Pilsner

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is back for a 4th year

Three Taverns Pilsnen Liberation, a collaboration with Pilsner Urquell has been re-released.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation has been re-released, a hoppy pilsner crafted in collaboration with Pilsner Urquell’s experimental brewery, Elektrarna. This beer is an annual tribute to the 1945 liberation Continue Reading →

Posted in Headlines, New Releases, Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada reveals “Proper Pilsner Cans” for Premium PILS

Back in April, Sierra Nevada unveiled a project more than a year in the making—Premium PILS, available on draft in select markets nationwide. At the time, the brewery teased unique packaging for the pilsner in late summer. Today, the brewery has revealed the answer: Proper Pilsner cans.

The key to this packaging is the smaller can format—specifically, 8.4 ounces—to maintain temperature and flavor from beginning to end. According to Brian Grossman, head brewer at Sierra Nevada, crafting a traditional European-style pilsner was half the challenge. When the beer transitioned to packaging, the standard 12- or 16-ounce can wouldn’t suffice. “I’ve enjoyed beers all over the world, but there’s something special about a proper pilsner at a European pub—crisp, refreshing, and served in a smaller glass to keep it at the ideal temperature and flavor. That’s how PILS is meant to be enjoyed,” Grossman says.

We tried Premium PILS back in April at The Ramspeck in Decatur, Georgia, and it’s fantastic, truly setting a new standard for American craft breweries producing European-style beers. At 4.7% alcohol by volume and 25 IBUs, it’s crisp and pairs with nearly everything.

Proper Pilsner cans, filled with Premium PILS, debut in 8.4-ounce 12-packs in select markets in August 2025, with plans for full national distribution in early 2026.

Below are photos from the media launch party in April at The Ramspeck.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in 3 Sheeps Brewing, Seasonal Return

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pils, a warm weather seasonal

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pilsner is back in time for 60 degree temperatures to finally hit the Badger State (which still has frost warnings in May) meaning summer isn’t far away.

Lemongrass Pils is a Bohemian-style pilsner infused with lemongrass and brewed with Cascade hops, has become a well-loved seasonal since it debuted (around 2016?). We tried the beer last summer in the Sheboygan tap room and besides just being a perfect beer for summer weather, it is indeed, as the brewery says- “crushable.” The lemongrass really pops and pints go down way too easy.

EVENT: 3 SHEEPS CELEBRATES 13 YEARS ON MAY 31, 2025

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pils is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft as a summer seasonal.

Style: Pilsner (w/ Lemongrass)
Hops: Cascade
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Three Taverns Brewery

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is back for a 4th year

Three Taverns Pilsnen Liberation, a collaboration with Pilsner Urquell has been re-released.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation has been re-released, a hoppy pilsner crafted in collaboration with Pilsner Urquell’s experimental brewery, Elektrarna. This beer is an annual tribute to the 1945 liberation of Pilsen, Czech Republic, by U.S. forces. Pilsen Liberation hit taps at all Three Taverns locations over the weekend and is reaching retailers this week.

Pilsen Liberation, a 4.3% ABV lager, blends classic Czech malt and Saaz hops with the vibrant American hop character of the 2025 Veterans Blend from Yakima Chief Hops, delivering “spicy, herbal notes alongside citrusy and floral aromas,” according to Three Taverns. The pilsner is brewed using a triple-decoction process, a brewing technique where a portion of the mash is boiled and returned to the main mash three times to achieve specific temperature rests, resulting in a deeper malt flavor.

THREE TAVERNS TO OPEN PONCE BREW TERMINAL THIS FALL

At the taproom, you can experience the beer poured via traditional Czech Lukr side-pull taps, served in dimpled Euro-style mugs at Three Taverns’ Decatur and Imaginarium taprooms.

The 2025 release marks the fourth iteration of Pilsen Liberation, inspired by Pilsner Urquell’s admiration for Three Taverns’ Prince of Pilsen. Elektrarna’s brewmaster Lenka Straková and Three Taverns’ Neal Engleman adjusted this year’s recipe to highlight the unique Veterans Blend hops.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is available in 16-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Pilsner
Hops: Saaz, 2025 Veterans Blend
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Special Release.

4.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Galleries, New Releases, Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada Premium PILS launches in select markets

Sierra Nevada Premium PILS Lager is debuting across select markets across this U.S. this week.

In Atlanta last evening, a team from Sierra Nevada as assembled at The Ramspeck (Brick Store Pub’s private event space) to debut a new beer. While the brewery is most known for whole-cone hop forward offerings, this beer you could say is a departure from the hops- a Premium PILS Lager.

A year in the making.

For more than a year, Sierra Nevada VP Brian Grossman, Brewery supervisor Seth Hewitt, Innovation brewer Matt Ruzich and team have been developing a new pilsner – a future national offering that Sierra Nevada hopes mays set a standard for the style in U.S. In the past, Sierra has released a pilsner here and there – Nooner Pilsner back in 2014, and seasonal Summerfest. Good beers in their own right, but the grander vision was a more “elevated” pilsner. Hence why “premium” is a part of the branding.

History + Quality.

The team focused heavily on the brewing history on pilsners, especially water chemistry, hops and yeast. Premium PILS is features Weihenstephaner yeast, and newer hop variety Saphir (German bred), and Pilsner malts with a touch of Carapils malt. Throughout Sierra’s presentation, the brewers focused on quality. Something the brewery is well-known for, and it definitely shows in Premium PILS. It’s soft, and crisp, with just a tinge of underlying hoppiness, and only 4.7% alcohol by volume. Whether or not the brewery intended it, they are setting a new standard for craft pilsners going forward.

Markets.

For now, Sierra Nevada Premium PILS is available on draft in 30 markets: Orlando,Jacksonville, Atlanta, Chicago, Portland, Maine, Las Vegas, Reno, NYC, Rhode Island, Denver, Boise, New Orleans, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Portland/Eugene/Medford, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Milwaukee & Madison, Wisconsin, Bay Area/Sacramento/Chico, California, St. Louis, Charlotte/Asheville/Winston-Salem/Wilmington/Raleigh, North Carolina, South Carolina (All), Washington D.C.

For now, PILS is a year-round beer, expanding to more markets over the summer. Expect it to hit a very unique package in late-summer 2025.

Below, scenes from the media release party in Atlanta.

Ed note: Article was updated 4/21 to mention PILS is a year-round beer at launch.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Arches Brewing, New Releases

Summer Seasonal Extended: Arches Brewing Bohemian Riot Pilsner

Arches Brewing Bohemian Riot first debuted at the brewery in 2019. The summer seasonal’s had grown over the years, prompting the brewery to extend the brewing season through August. 

“Riot” is a pilsner, brewed in collaboration with North Carolina’s Riverbend Malt House. The Georgia-based, lager-forward brewery used traditional Czech Saaz hops to create this “crisp summertime drinker”.

Arches Brewing Bohemian Riot is available in 12-ounce cans and draft until fall 2022. 

Style: Pilsner
Hops: Saaz
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.

Debut: 7/5/19
Latest Return: Spring 2022

5.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Iron Hill Brewing

Gold medal winning Iron Hill King’s Gold Pilsner hits brewpubs

Iron Hill King’s Gold, the brewery’s 2021 Great American Beer Festival gold medal-winning pilsner is available in cans. Brewer Peter Corbett’s recipe beat out 130 other entries at the festival, taking first in a highly contentious category. 

I am pilsner. Hear me roar! This easy-drinking American Pilsner is an absolute beast – with its smooth malt flavor and robust hop taste. When it roared into the 2021 Great American Beer Festival, it ruled the day. Today, King’s Gold is the pride of Iron Hill Brewery.

Iron Hill King’s Gold Pilsner is available in 12-ounce cans, and draft at all locations by mid-February. The brewery has not clarified whether or not this beer is seasonal. 

Style: Pilsner
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. 

Debut (Cans): 2/4/22

5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Pure Project

Pure Project Rain Unfiltered Pilsner

Pure Project Rain Unfiltered Pilsner

by Reid Ramsay